A Surrey-based wildlife charity has been left devastated after having to euthanise an infant elephant left disabled by poachers in Zambia.

The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) had been looking after Suni the elephant since April 2012 when she was found by the roadside, dragging herself along on her front two legs after an axe attack to her spine had rendered her paralysed in the back half of her body.

Sadly, Suni lost her three-year battle for recovery and was put to sleep earlier this month.

With the help of DSWF’s Surrey supporters, Suni was cared for with physical support for her disabled limb, a variety of supportive therapies, as well as the emotional support of her keepers and surrogate elephant herd since 2012.

Sally Case, chief executive of the Shalford -based wildlife conservation charity, said: “She required intense medical support every day of her life.

"Our intention was that if we could support her to walk without damage or pain, that over time sensation would return to the limb enabling her to place her foot correctly.

“Nearly three years after surgery we saw no significant improvement in her ability to use her foot and thus it was acknowledged that she would never be able to survive independently and without limb support.

“The lack of sensation resulted in Suni sustaining injury to her limb that she could not feel. As she grew heavier these injuries became more significant and more difficult and dangerous to manage.”

Suni wearing her specialist boot

The charity said the decision to put Suni to sleep had been the most difficult ever faced by the project in Zambia.

Suni had become an important family member to a special herd of orphaned elephants and had become like an adopted child to her keepers.

However, due to her declining welfare, if she had been kept alive she would have been increasingly physically restricted by her own capabilities and the high level of care required.

The charity told Get Surrey that Suni will always hold a ‘special place in the hearts of many’ and that her story is a harsh reminder of the reality facing Zambia’s elephants.

The charity expressed its anger that not only was the baby elephant robbed of her family as a young calf, but she was also robbed of a future when she was brutally attacked.

Ms Case added: “Everyone at DSWF would like to thank those who supported Suni, especially Catherine Edwards and Leanne Wrentmore of Surrey Equine Solutions and Naturally Animals.

“None of our work is possible without the generosity of our supporters.”